Hello, I'm Ms. Tee.

Welcome to today's lesson.

Today we're going to be talking about "Signs of health problems" as part of our unit on "Staying safe and healthy: How can I check my body is healthy?" The content of today's lesson is going to talk about medical issues and health conditions, some of which might be a little bit sensitive, so it's advised that you do this lesson alongside a trusted adult.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can describe the bodily signs that signal a potential health issue and I can explain what to do if I spot them.

Before we get started on today's lesson, it's really important that we think about the ground rules that we follow when we're having discussions in our classrooms. We've got Laura firstly saying, "Listen to others.

It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

And when we disagree, we challenge the statement, we don't challenge the person." We've got Jacob saying, "No judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged." Andeep tells us to respect privacy.

He says, "We can discuss examples, but we do not use names or descriptions that could identify anyone, including ourselves." And finally, Izzy reminds us "to choose the level of participation that is right for us.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join a discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot." So with those in mind, let's get started with today's lesson.

So let's take a look at the keywords that we're going to be seeing in today's lesson.

The first word is persistent.

So in this context, it means continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period.

We've got the word abnormal.

When something is not normal for you.

This could be something that changes suddenly or over time.

We have the word acute, which means sudden, quick, or sometimes severe.

And finally, the word chronic, which means persistent for a long time, or recurring.

As we go through this lesson, see where you see these words being used and see if you can use them in your own responses.

So our lesson outline for today, we've got two parts of this lesson.

Firstly, "What signs of health problems should I watch for?" And secondly, "What should I do if I notice a problem?" So let's have a look at our first lesson outline, "What signs of health problems should I look out for?" For we've got Dr.

Elsie here and she says, "Our bodies are really important and we need to look after them to stay healthy.

However, sometimes we might have health problems, and when this happens, we may need to get medical help from a health professional.

Lots of different factors can impact how we feel.

For example, if we have a late night, we might feel tired.

Similarly, if we eat too much fast food, we might feel bloated, or we might feel achy if we don't exercise enough.

These physical changes can be explained and we can do things to improve them." Nurse Daniel says that "it's important to know what is normal for you and to look for changes that don't go away after two weeks.

If a change is persistent or abnormal, it could point to a more serious issue." One of the things to look out for is weight changes.

So maintaining a healthy weight is important to prevent certain health conditions from developing.

However, unexplained changes in weight can be a sign of a health problem or illness.

Everyone is a different shape and size.

It's important to know what your normal is so that you can then spot any changes.

Although some people may want to lose weight, unexplained weight loss is when someone loses weight without changing their diet or exercise routine.

Dr.

Elsie says that "if you notice significant weight gain or loss in a short period of time, then this could be a sign of a potential problem.

Understanding your body and weight is the best way to notice any changes." So, unexplained weight changes can happen for a number of reasons.

It could be because of diabetes.

It could have been because of conditions called hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

It could also be a symptom of cancer, a chronic infection, mental health changes, or responses to medications.

It could also be as a consequence of stress and anxiety, and heart problems. Dr.

Elsie says, "Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are disorders of the thyroid gland, which can both lead to hormonal imbalances and might be a reason for weight changes." So in this check for understanding, can you identify whether this statement is true or false? It is only weight gain that should be seen as a sign of a health problem.

Pause your screen while you think about your answer.

If you said that you thought that this statement was false, then you'd be correct.

That's because unexplained weight loss is when someone loses weight without changing their diet or exercise routine.

This can be a sign of stress or of a serious illness, so it's important to speak to a health professional about this.

One of the things you can look out for is energy levels.

Our energy levels fluctuate throughout the day, but that's normally linked to diet, exercise, and sleep.

Energy levels reflect how well our bodies are functioning.

So if our energy levels are unusually low or high, it can be a sign of an underlying health condition.

A persistent change in energy levels can be a sign of anaemia or heart disease, which is when not enough oxygen reaches our tissue.

It could be a sign of a hormone imbalance.

This can affect the body's metabolism.

It could be a sign of a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, and stress.

These can lead to high or low levels of energy.

It could also be a sign of a chronic infection or illness.

These can sometimes cause persistent fatigue because the body is using lots of energy to fight off that illness.

It could also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency.

Reduced iron, vitamin B12, or vitamin D can lead to tiredness and a lack of energy.

So in this check for understanding, can you complete the statement? Persistent low levels of energy can either, A, be cured through a few good night's sleep in a row; B, are always a worrying sign of a serious illness; or C, can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an underlying health condition.

Pause your screen here while you think about your answer.

If you identified that the correct statement was C, persistent low levels of energy can be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or an underlying health condition, then you'd be correct.

Dr.

Elsie says that "one of the main ways to keep an eye on our health is to notice any changes to our bowel habits.

This can include going to the toilet more frequently or less frequently." Nurse Daniel says that "it might feel embarrassing to talk about, but don't worry.

It is our job as medical professionals to talk about this.

Knowing any changes or abnormal bowel movements can help us to diagnose possible health issues." Regular bowel movements are a sign of good digestive health.

Healthy bowel habits include frequency.

Bowel movements can vary from person to person, and for some people this can be several times a day or even every few days, and both are within normal range.

Consistency, stools should be soft and easy to pass.

And emptying, the bowel should feel completely empty after a bowel movement.

Dr.

Elsie says that "one of the main signs to look for is any blood in your stool.

If you notice this or any abnormal changes to your bowel habits, you should speak to a medical professional, as this can be a sign of an illness or a more serious problem." A small amount of one-off bleeding when you go to the bathroom can go away on its own without needing treatment, but you should always seek medical help if you notice the following.

Blood on the toilet paper.

Pink water in the toilet after your bowel movement.

Blood in your faeces or diarrhoea.

Or very dark faeces, as this can be blood mixed in.

Dr.

Elsie says that "it isn't just changes to bowel movements you should pay attention to.

For men and women, abnormal bleeding or painful or unusual discharge can also be a sign of a health condition." It is important to see a healthcare professional for abnormal discharge from any part of the body because these can be signs of an infection that may need treatment.

So in this check for understanding, can you change one word to correct the statement? "Regular bowel movements might be a sign of an underlying health condition, and you should see a healthcare professional for advice." Pause your screen while you think about how to rewrite this statement to be correct.

If you changed your statement to look like this, "Irregular bowel movements might be a sign of an underlying health condition and you should see a healthcare professional for advice," then you'd be correct.

So in Task A, can you complete the paragraph by adding in the missing words? "Many different factors can impact our health.

Understanding what is blank for you is important to help notice any changes to our health.

Unexplained weight gain or blank can be signs of a health issue, as well as any blank, persistent, or blank, severe, symptoms. Blank is extreme tiredness and is also a sign that something might be wrong.

Changes to blank levels, appetite, and blank movements are further signs there might be an underlying condition.

If you notice that your bowel movements are blank, or if you notice blank in your stool, you should see a blank to investigate the cause of this." So pause your screen while you complete the paragraph by adding in the missing words.

Well done.

If your completed paragraph looks like this, then you're correct.

It should read, "Many different factors can impact our health.

Understanding what is normal for you is important to help notice any changes to our health.

Unexplained weight gain or loss can be signs of a health issue, as well as any chronic, persistent, or acute, severe, symptoms. Fatigue is extreme tiredness and is also a sign that something might be wrong.

Changes to energy levels, appetite, and bowel movements are further signs there might be an underlying condition.

If you notice that your bowel movements are abnormal, or if you notice blood in your stool, you should see a medical professional to investigate the cause of this." So let's move on to our second lesson outline for today, "What should I do if I notice a problem?" Dr.

Elsie says that "noticing changes to your health can be worrying, but often these symptoms can be treated and early diagnosis always makes this easier.

Your health is very important and you need to pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Symptoms that are acute, which means sudden, quick, or severe, or are chronic, which means they persist or keep coming back, should always be spoken about with a medical professional." "For acute symptoms, you should contact the emergency services on 999," says Paramedic Courtney.

There are lots of things you can do if you notice a change to your health.

Number one, pay attention to the signs.

So you could write down what you're feeling.

For example, changes in your appetite, fatigue, pain, or changes in bowel movements.

Note down when it started, how often it happens, and what makes it better or worse.

You can keep a record of this on paper or on a digital device, but add as much detail as possible.

If you do notice a problem, you should also talk to a trusted adult.

Tell a parent, carer, teacher, or the school nurse.

And be honest, give specific details.

It might feel awkward, but this information can help to figure out what's going on and ensure that you get the right tests or treatment.

You can seek medical help.

We've got Dr.

Elsie, Nurse Daniel, and Pharmacist Harper here.

But if you notice acute or chronic symptoms, you should see a healthcare professional so a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can ask the right questions and help to figure out what might be going on.

Izzy says, "I don't want to waste the doctor's time, so I would only go to see them if I was experiencing something acute, like chest pain or fainting." And Dr.

Elsie says, "While serious symptoms are important, early or mild signs such as chronic changes in sleep, appetite or energy can also signal that there's a health problem.

Speaking to a trusted adult or health professional can help to treat this earlier." So in this check for understanding, is this statement true or false? If symptoms are chronic, as in they persist or keep coming back, it means that it's probably nothing serious.

Pause your screen here while you think about your answer.

If you said that you thought this statement was false, then you'd be correct, because symptoms that are chronic may not feel as intense or severe as acute symptoms, but it can be a sign of a condition that won't go away on its own, and you may need medical help or treatment.

You can also make sure that you look after your health.

Try to eat well, get enough sleep, drink water, and do regular exercise.

Try to avoid self-diagnosing by looking up symptoms on the internet or following unreliable advice on home remedies or treatments.

And don't ignore any symptoms that you notice or that you're worried about.

Don't put off getting help.

Small issues can turn into bigger ones if you wait too long.

It is always better to check early and feel a peace of mind than to stay unsure and feel worried.

In this check for understanding.

If you notice a change to your health or experience any symptoms you're worried about, you should not what? So in this multiple choice check for understanding, you should not note down details of the symptoms, see a healthcare professional, ignore the symptoms to see if they go away, or talk to a trusted adult.

So pause your screen while you think about your answer.

If you said that you thought the answer was C, that you should not ignore the symptoms to see if they go away, then you'd be correct.

So onto our final task for today.

Can you read the following description and identify the health problems that Lucy is experiencing? And can you suggest what she should do next? She says, "Lately, I've been feeling really tired no matter how much I sleep.

I've lost some weight without trying and my appetite has been all over the place.

My stomach pain is sometimes acute and I've noticed my bowel habits have changed.

Sometimes I can't go at all, and other times I have to rush to the bathroom.

I've also felt more anxious and just not like myself." So pause the screen here while you identify the health problems that Lucy is experiencing and while you think about suggestions about what she could do next.

So you may have identified that Lucy is experiencing increased levels of tiredness and fatigue, changed appetite, unexplained weight loss, acute stomach pain, changes to bowel movements, and increased anxiety.

And you should have suggested that she takes notes about her symptoms, talks to a trusted adult, and sees a healthcare professional.

So in summary today, we've been talking about signs of health problems. We've said that it's important to know what is normal for your body and watch out for changes that don't go away after two weeks because these can be signs of a more serious health condition or illness.

Signs that may need to be examined by a doctor can include unexplained weight loss or gain, persistent tiredness and changes to bowel habits, particularly any blood when you go to the toilet.

We also said that acute or chronic conditions, including abnormal bleeding or discharge from any part of the body, should also be referred to by a healthcare professional.

And finally, if you notice a problem, take notes of the symptoms, speak to a trusted adult and consult a doctor.

You should avoid self-diagnosis using the internet or ignoring the problem, because this can delay any treatment that might be needed.

If you want any more information about some of the things that we've talked about today, you can visit the NHS Live Well site where they can give you information about healthy living, exercise, quitting smoking, and drinking less alcohol.

The NHS website can also give more general advice about health and prevention, including how to access the services on offer.